Removal of Heat Shield from 2020 Subaru Forester When Installing Curt Class III Hitch
Published 02/07/2020
Products Featured in This Question
Question:
I'm looking at the install sheet for the Curt # C13409. It says the heat shield needs to be removed and left off, and then not replaced. Will that cause a problem? Why isn't it replaced?
asked by: Jim T
Expert Reply:
This is a very common question we get. Part of the heat shield blocks the underside of the vehicle where the Curt # C13409 hitch needs to install. It's extremely important that the hitch sit directly against the underside of the vehicle, and not have anything sandwiched in between it and the underside of the vehicle as that can cause the bolts to loosen over time.
You could also notch the heat shield to fit around the hitch, but that eliminates a couple of the shield's attachment points to the vehicle which means that the shield might not be as tight to the vehicle as it should be. This could cause rattling or eventually work itself loose which could cause a road hazard. The truth is, the hitch itself will act as the heat shield and since it's much more substantial than the flimsy sheet metal it's replacing, the fact that it's been removed won't cause any trouble whatsoever.
To complete your towing set up if you're planning on doing some towing, you'll need a trailer wiring harness like # C56040, a ball mount like # 2753 and for a 1-7/8 inch trailer ball, use # 19260 or # 63845 for a 2 inch.
If you use the provided link, you can see an installation video.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"
- Trailer Hitch
- Custom Fit Hitch
- Class III
- 525 lbs TW
- 3500 lbs GTW
- 2 Inch Hitch
- Visible Cross Tube
- CURT
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Shop: Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"
- Article: What Size Generator Do You Need to Run an RV Air Conditioner?
- Shop: etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Matte Black Finish - Class III - 2"
- Shop: etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Matte Black Finish - Class III - 2"
- Search Results: trailer hitch
- Article: Brake Controller 7- and 4-Way Installation Kit (ETBC7)
- Shop: etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Matte Black Finish - Class III - 2"
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Q&A: What is the Difference Between a Class II and a Class III Hitch?
- Shop: Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector
- Q&A: What is the Difference Between a 4-Way and 7-Way Trailer Connector
- Search Results: trailer wiring
- Video: Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness Review C56040
- Article: How to Choose the Right Trailer Hitch Class
- Video: 2024 Subaru Forester etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver: Complete Installation
- Shop: Roof Rack
- Search Results: hitch bike racks
- Article: My Trailer Hitch Doesn't Fit
- Q&A: Difference Between Curt & etrailer Trailer Hitches For 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness
- Shop: Curt Powered Tail Light Converter with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector
- Q&A: Differences Between Curt, Draw-Tite, and etrailer.com Trailer Hitches for 2019 Subaru Outback Wagon
- Video: Mount: etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver on a 2024 Subaru Crosstrek
- Search Results: trailer hitch ball mount
- Article: How to Measure for Trailer Hitch Drop
- Shop: Suspension Enhancement
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Search Results: hitch
- Shop: etrailer Hitch Pin Alignment Collar for Hitch Accessories - 2" Hitches
- Video: etrailer Class III Trailer Hitch Installation Guide - 2020 Subaru Forester
on Trailer Hitch
